Electrolysis Simulator

Simulation Controls

1V 6V 12V

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Electrolysis Simulation

Cathode (-): Reduction
Anode (+): Oxidation

Cathode (Reduction):

Anode (Oxidation):

Cathode Products:

Anode Products:

Mechanism of Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. During electrolysis:

  • The electrolyte must contain mobile ions (molten or aqueous solution)
  • At the cathode (negative electrode), positive ions (cations) gain electrons (reduction)
  • At the anode (positive electrode), negative ions (anions) lose electrons (oxidation)
  • The external circuit completes the electrical path

Molten vs. Aqueous Electrolysis

Molten Electrolytes:

  • Only ions from the compound are present
  • Products are always the elements from the ionic compound
  • Metal is always produced at the cathode
  • Non-metal is always produced at the anode
  • Higher temperatures required to melt ionic compounds

Aqueous Electrolytes:

  • Both compound ions and water ions (H⁺ and OH⁻) are present
  • Competition between ions occurs based on reactivity
  • Hydrogen may be produced at cathode instead of metal
  • Oxygen may be produced at anode instead of non-metal
  • Operates at room temperature

Electrochemical Series (Simplified):

More easily reduced (cathode):

K⁺ Na⁺ Ca²⁺ Mg²⁺ Al³⁺ H⁺ Zn²⁺ Fe²⁺ Pb²⁺ Cu²⁺ Ag⁺

More easily oxidized (anode):

I⁻ Br⁻ Cl⁻ OH⁻ F⁻

Industrial Applications of Electrolysis

Extraction of Metals

Used to extract reactive metals like aluminum from their ores (e.g., bauxite). The Hall-Héroult process uses electrolysis to produce aluminum from aluminum oxide dissolved in cryolite.

Electroplating

Used to coat one metal with a thin layer of another metal. Applications include decorative plating (gold, silver), corrosion protection (zinc, chromium), and creating circuit boards (copper).

Chlor-Alkali Process

Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution to produce chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and sodium hydroxide. These are essential chemicals for manufacturing plastics, paper, detergents, and many other products.